Rep. Chris Collins Slams NY Gov. Cuomo's Gun Control Law

Rep. Chris Collins on Monday slammed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his controversial SAFE Act gun control law.

"If our governor had his way, there would be no guns in the state of New York. Well, the Second Amendment says otherwise," the New York Republican said at the Rochester Brooks Gun Club, according to Democrat & Chronicle.

Collins said he has proposed a bill called SAGA, the Second Amendment Guarantee Act, to make parts of the SAFE Act illegal.

New York's Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (SAFE Act) was passed on Jan. 5, 2013 after the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting in which 20 students died. It bans some semiautomatic guns with detachable magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

Collins said the SAFE Act was an "egregious overstep of the Second Amendment," Democrat & Chronicle reports.

The congressman said he expected "overwhelming" support from around the U.S., regardless of political affiliation and said that owners of shotguns and rifles are concerned that they could be breaking the law depending on the definition of an assault weapon under the SAFE Act.

"I have a lot of confidence we'll get this over the finish line, and I know it's going to drive the governor absolutely crazy because we're calling him out for another unconstitutional move," Collins said.

However, the mayor of Rochester, a city near the gun club, sided with Gov. Cuomo.

"I urge Congress to reject this dangerous legislation and I look forward to continuing to stand with Gov. Cuomo in his efforts to make our streets and neighborhoods safer," said Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

Cuomo responded to Collins' announcement, calling it "blatantly political" and noted that courts have ruled in favor of the SAFE Act before.

"The courts have resoundingly upheld New York's law as consistent with the Constitution," Cuomo said.

In June, after the ballpark shooting that injured Rep. Steve Scalise and four others, Collins announced he was working with the National Rifle Association on legislation to protect Congress members and their staff.